Pre-Hire from TMC, Coastal, McElroy, Roehl, HOW, and Stevens

[HellBoy]

First of all, I am newly registered but have been lurking for a couple months. This forum has proven out as an excellent resource, and I thank the admins, moderators, and members for all of the effort put in to make it possible. Superior work..

I am a recent graduate of a CDL School (Georgia Driving Academy) and a brand-new CDL-A recipient. All I have is research and school hours behind me to date, although I've put in 4 industry years with a 3PL.

Now I'm at the decision point.. Which carrier to go with as a Rookie?

I have pre-hires from TMC, Coastal, McElroy, Roehl, HOW, and Stevens.
I'm looking to this community for experienced perceptions of each of these carriers, particularly in the areas of orientation/training for a rookie, humane treatment of drivers/rookies, availability of miles, hometime promises and reality, bottom-line annual income for a first-year driver, HQ/Dispatch responsiveness, and equipment granted first-year drivers.

What I'm shooting for is Southeast Regional, probably flatbed, reasonable pay, reliable hometime (each week), a training/orientation that is geared toward development rather than "weeding out", and an office whose culture is at least somewhat appreciative of the drivers.

These things in mind, what can anyone tell me of these companies? Your comments are appreciated.

[mudflap276]

at tmc you will go through about 2 weeks of orientation. it includes several tests like math, map reading, etc. you will have 4 days of BASIC load securement. and the rest is driving and backing the hoods. you will take lots of notes and will have to do things in the truck using the notes. not a put it in the hole anyway you want/can class. inexperienced drivers will make $350 wk while in training (in house and on the road). the otr training (anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks depending on you experience level)consists of you driving and backing and, for the first couple of weeks, helping with load securement. the trainer will show you how to properly secure different types of loads and you will participate. you will be driving most if not all the time for the first few weeks. you will have to get x amount of miles over the course of your training and do about 10+ backs per week. at the end of the training you get sent to dsm or Columbia and have to do another drive/backing test and based on that score, you will get a truck, FM and load. % pay or mileage pay will start once you get a truck. you will start at 23% and at the end of the month will have a snapshot that will increase your % pay.

[HellBoy]

Thanks, Mudflap, excellent information.
I have a question, though, if you don't mind..
The testing during orientation. Is is designed to establish a baseline of strengths/weakness to work on during training or is it designed to disqualify candidates?

For example, I just got my CDL. I don't know anything, really, only what it takes to get a license. I can't be expected to be able to back in so many situations very well, my shifting will be choppy until I get some substantial time behind the wheel. Do I show up in Columbia just to prove that I need training and get sent home, or is TMC looking to make me a successful rookie driver?

[mudflap276]

Thanks, Mudflap, excellent information.
I have a question, though, if you don't mind..
The testing during orientation. Is is designed to establish a baseline of strengths/weakness to work on during training or is it designed to disqualify candidates?

For example, I just got my CDL. I don't know anything, really, only what it takes to get a license. I can't be expected to be able to back in so many situations very well, my shifting will be choppy until I get some substantial time behind the wheel. Do I show up in Columbia just to prove that I need training and get sent home, or is TMC looking to make me a successful rookie driver?

i think that the tests are designed for several reasons:
1) the math test determines the ability to do simple math and intermediate math. for instance adding up drive/on duty times, calculating pay, fuel mileage, etc.
2)map reading is just that. what some of the symbols on a map are for and getting shortest, safest route.
3) to keep you busy while others are doing drug tests, etc.
i wouldn't say that the test alone would be a dis qualifier, however when added with the other training scores, if low enough, might be enough to go home. i have heard that Austin tosses them out if everyone is not struggling.
TMC wants to make sure that are able to do the physically and MENTALLY. flatbeding is 80% mental and 20% physical, give or take some.

[HellBoy]

Thanks, again, Mudflap. That helps significantly.

[Rawlco]

Most of the tests themselves are designed to teach.

The math is pretty basic if you can operate a calculator, but the questions show you how math applies to your job, like how many miles in each state, and how many hours something will take.

The General knowledge test is just the same as you took to get your CDL, so you shouldn't have any problems.

The DOT regulation test is open book. The question gives you a regulation number and you look it up so that you can answer a multiple guess question about it. Mostly this is to point out some obscure regulations that you may not have learned about before.

The log and load securement tests are given after we learn the TMC way, so it is mostly a measure of how well we learn. With a little studying you can do fine. I do recommend that you look for my explanation of split sleeper berth rules here on CAD since Austin doesn't spend nearly enough time on it for most people.

I think that the tests will be used to give our trainer a heads-up on what areas need specific work.

Out of our class there was only one person who had even touched a 13 speed, so everyones shifting needs a lot of work.

On the backing lot you will have a specific set of instructions to follow. You WILL get out of the truck and look every 4 feet. I went the last 8 feet back into the "dock" in one shot and was asked if I knew how far 4 feet was. You will not make up your own system for getting into the dock because they want you to learn their way and it is guaranteed to work, provided you follow the instructions.

[HellBoy]

Excellent. Thanks, Rawlco, for the details. I'm about ready to call in my pre-hire. Would like to read something about the other carriers, though. Anyone else out there got something to say? Much appreciated.

[kreeper01]

Hellboy,

I've read your post here and you asked some really good questions, at least you are not jumping into this business blindly.

I'd offer you some info, however, i have not been hired on by any of the companies you wanted info on, sorry i could not be any help.

[millersod215]

I can give you a little insight on Coastal Transport, i worked for their sister company Commercial Carriers. As far as a company, they're not too bad, and they're pay is pretty good, i'm not exact on the starting pay for a student, but i talked to Coastal and they said they would pay me .35 cents a mile, they honored all my local experience, which was 3 years, which is really rare to find with OTR company's. Like i said i haven't worked for Coastal, just their sister company, but if you're worried about shifting, don't worry, they run automatics, and none of their loads are really technical, a lot of wall board and building supplies. Plus they get you home on the weekends, i live in Brooksville, Fl and they have a Commercial Carrier terminal right down the road from my house, and the Coastal drivers in this area usually get home friday night. One more thing in this long winded message that i think is a plus, if you find out you don't like regional or staying out all week, they do their best to place you in a local position if it's available, i don't know what your vicinity to Jax, Fl, or Savannah, Ga is, but both those terminals have local positions. Just a bit to think about, hope it helped.

[HellBoy]

Thanks, Millersod. Info on Coastal has been hard to come by; I had heard some hearsay about the automatic trans, I understand they are running Macks with doghouse sleepers. I was never really sure about the payscale, I mean no one anywhere questions the money that can be made at TMC, but I've heard no comment on Coastal til now.
What I like is the hometime and the proximity of the Coastal HQ. What hurts is the little sleeper cab and the automatic trans. However, if the recruiters get it in gear, I'm willing to give it a look. So thanks for the info. I'd appreciate more on the training if you could.

[millersod215]

Well training at Coastal is a question for me also, when i talked to them about their position in florida, they told me it would almost be like a refresher course, but i've hauled sod for 3 and half years, which to me really doesn't constitute much experience, but i guess they felt it enough to just be able to go out for a week or so and get brushed up on what i need to know. One thing that is pretty apparent about Coastal, is the lack of specialized type hauling, TMC, i'm sure, has such an extensive orientation because of variety of what they haul, anything from steel coils, to all the heavy, technical type loads. Coastal does a lot of building supplies, fencing, wall board, shingles, etc. For me the plus about Comcar industries, which is who owns Coastal, is the fact that they try to work you in to other positions if you find out you're not liking what you're doing, atleast that was my eperience. They put me in to a local position no problem, i'm not with them anymore due to the fact that i was able to go back to my sod hauling position, but in reality they were a good company, and willing to work with the driver. Definately worth some more research, especially because they're headquartered out of Savannah.

[HellBoy]

Thanks again, Millersod. I'm not very particular about the load content at this point, so Coastal is still an option. Hopefully I can learn more about the training in the next 24 hours. Probably have to take a recruiter's word for it, and that's not a good place to be unfortunately. Much rather get the drivers take on things, ya know what I mean?
I appreciate you reaching out of your scope to tell me what you can. Thanks.

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What's the deal with McElroy? They are a "very Christian" company according to their website. Is that like some kind of southern-fried code-word or something? I mean, I don't see no "Jewish" or "Islamic" or "Buddhist" or "Hindu" carriers out there, and no one seems to bother to describe themselves as religiously all-inclusive. Where does religion enter into this foul business? Any hearsay about this?

[larryh31]

Toss the pre hire from Stevens in the trash. They will keep you away from home for at least 3 to 6 weeks :sad:

[HellBoy]

Okay, LarryH, I'll do just that. I didn't want them anyway, dang Career Services person at the school submitted it without my permission. I do appreciate your insight.

Stevens is in the trashcan. No problem.

[GoldiesPlating]

HellBoy, GOOD questions and so far you have an open mind with a great attitude. These traits will take you far with whichever company you choose. You are on the right track!
Aside from looking at my website below, if you have any questions, specific or general, feel free to PM or call me ANYTIME. So far the replies here have all been good but I'm sure you may think of something you haven't asked here.
Best of Luck to you future driver!
Fred

[HellBoy]

Thanks, Fred. I've seen your site, gone through it all fairly thoroughly, and left with a good feeling about TMC. I'll probably give you a quick ring since you offer it up, but beware - I have a heavy accent. A heavy JERSEY accent.. yeah, that's right, this Georgia thing is kinda new, moved down here like 16 months ago. I've seen about your NYC and thought I'd keep mine quiet so no one gets an inclination to send me there, but if things work out like that, it can't really be avoided. You can take the boy outta Joisey, etc..

Open-minded I am, but positive-spirited (like Fred)? Not me. That is an admirable trait; I'd probably be a millionaire by now if I had it. Anyway, thanks for the response and I'll get a call in shortly.